There’s a story about the former education secretary, Kenneth Baker. When he was appointed to the post in 1986, he apparently went to the prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, and said: “I think we should introduce a national curriculum.”
She immediately agreed, saying: “Go and announce it now.”
“But,” said Lord Baker, “we haven’t worked on it yet.” Mrs Thatcher replied: “Kenneth – never underestimate the power of an announcement.”
It’s a good anecdote and, having recently met Lord Baker, I was able to ask him whether it was true.
“Oh yes,” he said. “And the PM gave me a blank sheet of paper as secretary of state to do whatever I liked.”
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